VIDEO: Hundreds protest against cuts to benefits and care support

Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can

Waiting for Video...

Published:14:57Friday 13 May 2011

Share this article

Several hundred protesters were out in force at County Hall in Chichester this morning (May 13) against the cuts to disability services.

The Don’t Cut Us Out campaigners certainly made their voices heard, with banging drums and even a vuvuzela adding to the tense atmosphere ahead of the county council’s meeting on the cuts.

The campaign is a reaction to the proposed cuts on benefits and care support, which would affect 4,500 disabled people across the county.

The intention was to bring councillors face-to-face with disability and the harsh reality of their decision to stop care support to all those with moderate disabilities and the closure of day centres for the elderly.

The Don’t Cut Us Out Campaign, speaking out for the vulnerable across West Sussex, has collected a 20,000-strong petition calling on the council to reverse the cuts.

Barry Pickthall, spokesperson for Don’t Cut Us Out, said: “The campaign has won unprecedented support from members of the public who see these callous cuts as not only being unfair, but cruel.

“The council is targeting the wrong people. These are not malingerers or the work shy. They are people with life-long disabilities and the elderly nearing the end of their lives.

“Some have a mental age as low as eight yet the council is expecting them to live without any support. How many councillors would let your eight-year-olds wander the streets unsupervised?”

“The elderly and those with learning disabilities are among the most vulnerable in society. They have a right to life, not just an existence.

“That is why we are seeking a judicial review to stop the cuts and force the council to reflect on the damage they are doing to so many vulnerable people.”